In the Garden Shed with Jane
Greetings to all our gardeners, tenants and everyone who loves nature.
Inspiration is all around!
Summer is a great time to visit parks and gardens for new ideas. We are lucky that Norwich and Norfolk have a proud history of providing and maintaining beautiful parks. There are also National Trust and RHS gardens, and ‘open garden’ charity events (often with homemade teas!) that are well worth a visit.
I went to the Chelsea Flower Show in May and the latest gardening trends are all about natural planting, native plants, wildflowers and grasses, and gardening for wildlife, particularly to encourage bees and pollinators. The beautiful balcony and sanctuary gardens showed what can be achieved in a small space. So get out and about, and be inspired!
A place to reflect
A big thank you to Broadland’s Estate Services team, who have worked hard on all the communal gardens. This green and white community garden, with wildflowers and shrubs, is mindful and relaxing.
Herbs
Growing your own herbs means they are always on hand when you need them. Herbs taste delicious and add a new dimension to your cooking. You can make a herb garden in a sunny spot in any container with good drainage - a window box is excellent. Try planting parsley, coriander, thyme (the lemon variety is popular, also mint and spearmint), chives and garlic chives.
Jobs to do in the garden
July
Take time out from weeding and tidying up. Sit down with a cup of tea and look at what all your hard work has achieved - a tomato plant on your windowsill is no mean feat! Be proud of yourself and your clever plants. They wouldn’t be there without you!
August
Continue feeding plants and make sure climbing vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, and squashes) are well secured to supports. Pick herbs for drying – place between paper towels in the microwave for 30 second intervals until they are dry. Keep dried herbs in airtight containers and they should last through the winter.
September
Start clearing the ground and digging bare patches. Harvest fruit and freeze late raspberries. Re-pot indoor plants, move some to sunnier areas, remove dead and unhealthy leaves. Re-seed indoor herbs for winter use. Order your seed catalogues.
Enjoy your summer and do send us any photos of your gardening achievements or unusual plants you have grown. If you have any questions, then please send them in and we will try to help.
Top tip!
It’s the end-of season garden sales!! Look out for bargains - tools, seeds and plant pots.